Capitol's Cyber Battle Lab Outreach Program teams up with Maryland MESA

 

Contact: Kyle Anderson Marketing & Communications Coordinator 301-369-2800, ext. 3015 kdanderson@capitol-college.edu

 

LAUREL, Md. (Feb. 2, 2011) – On Jan. 21 and 28, 2011, Capitol College hosted over 100 middle and high school students as part of the Cyber Battle Lab outreach program held in conjunction with Maryland MESA.  

 

The goal for the event was to encourage middle and high school students in Maryland to consider pursuing a college education and career in information assurance (IA) and other science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, through cybersecurity demonstrations and career awareness workshops.

 

“As part of the day-long event the students visited our Cyber Battle Lab, and during the lab session they were shown a variety of attacks to information systems,” Dr. Vic Maconachy, vice president for academic affairs, said. “Hopefully this reality-based program will spark some students into seeking higher education in the STEM fields.” 

 

Capitol College is dedicated to furthering cybersecurity and IA education through its Cyber Battle Lab. At the lab, students and professors simulate cybersecurity scenarios. The innovative program provides a learning environment where students detect, analyze and defeat simulated hacker attacks. The Cyber Battle Lab is one of the foremost programs for information assurance education in Maryland.

 

During the event, students were given an in-depth look at the Cyber Battle Lab, as well as the Space Operations Institute (SOI) and Electronics Lab. Workshops detailing the benefits and rewards of STEM education and careers were also available for visiting students. Additionally, students were offered a presentation detailing the rewards of a Capitol College education and the availability of financial aid at the institution. The unique hands-on experience that students receive at Capitol undoubtedly prepares them for the rigors of the workplace, and this was a point of emphasis throughout the event.

 

“Capitol College is proud to play our part in encouraging the youth of America to seek education and careers in jobs that add to our Nation’s security through discovery and innovation,” Maconachy said.

 

The five schools participating in the event were Deer Park Middle School, Woodlawn Middle School, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Oakland Mills High School and Annapolis High School.

 

The Cyber Battle Lab workshop, along with the College’s Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach (SSEPO) also reflect Capitol’s commitment to STEM learning and developing the future workforce. The SSEPO provides hands-on education and workforce development in the science, technology, engineering and math fields to students in K-12, community college and college students.

 

Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master's degrees, a doctor of science in information assurance, professional development training and certificates. Academic programs are grounded in centers of excellence; these include the Space Operations Institute, the Critical Infrastructures and Cyber Protection Center, the Innovation and Leadership Institute, and the Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach. The college campus is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. www.capitol-college.edu.

 

 

 

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